Fuel poverty trap highlighted in UK

A consumer group will today highlight the plight of people stuck in the fuel poverty trap in Britain.

The number of UK households struggling to afford to heat their homes has doubled since 2003 to nearly four million, according to the National Consumer Council (NCC).

They spend more than 10% of their income on gas and electricity bills.

Fuel poverty is caused by a combination of poorly insulated homes, high energy prices and low incomes, the NCC said.

It describes the UK’s fuel poverty situation as one of the worst in northern Europe.

NCC chair Lord Whitty said: “The Government’s 2010 target to end fuel poverty in the most vulnerable households is less than three years away.

“There are now three million vulnerable households in fuel poverty and recent cuts in fuel charges cannot, on their own, make that 2010 target achievable.”

The NCC said around 80% of people in fuel poverty live in homes of below average energy efficiency.